Style Edit: Inside Vacheron Constantin’s ‘The Pleats of Time’ exhibition in Hong Kong, the Swiss luxury watchmaker’s collaboration with haute couture designer Yiqing Yin

Ever since master watchmaker Jean-Marc Vacheron produced his very first timepiece at the tender age of 24, way back in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has stood for peerless excellence in craftsmanship. To this day, the storied Swiss watchmaker enjoys an enduring reputation for working alongside the most creative designers, craftspeople and artisans.

It’s there in the numerous master engravers, enamellers, guillocheurs, gemsetters, watchmakers and jewellers without whom its horological masterpieces couldn’t come into existence. It’s visible in collections like Les Cabinotiers – a name derived from the tiny rooms in which watchmakers used to work – that feature bespoke creations and one-of-a-kind pieces. And it can be seen in Vacheron Constantin’s collaborations with some of the finest creative and artisanal talents the world has to offer.

Work like theirs has to be seen in the flesh to be fully appreciated. Lovers of both high horology and traditional culture in Hong Kong recently had a chance to do just that: a recent exhibition at the Arts Pavilion within West Kowloon Cultural District gave watch lovers the chance to get up close and personal with some of Vacheron Constantin’s most breathtaking contemporary creations. The stars of the show at “The Pleats of Time: A Creative Collaboration with Yiqing Yin” exhibition were two utterly distinctive timepieces created in partnership with French Chinese haute couture designer and fashion industry powerhouse Yiqing Yin.

In particular, one-off piece The Pleats of Time is just about the most distinctive example of the horological arts you could ever wish to see. It showcases a mastery not just of fine watchmaking but also of haute couture and, in a world first, of haute perfumery.

The high fashion influence on the watch is immediately clear from a glance at the dial. Here you’ll find the pleats that give the piece its name, picked out in lilac using mother-of-pearl interwoven with layers of silk thread. They form the body of the dial – which is free from indications – in two circles, separated by a ring of gold pearls and surrounded by 58 diamonds on the bezel.

Another 34 diamonds surround the striking moon phase complication at 2 o’clock, where it’s accompanied, on the side of the 37mm pink gold case, by a crown set with a moonstone. Perfumery comes into the equation thanks to the watch’s calfskin leather strap. An abstract depiction, designed by Yin, of a watercourse made from embroidery and mother-of-pearl shards, it also contains nanocapsules of a special fragrance created by master perfumer Dominique Ropion, which are integrated into its lining, loop and embroidery, allowing the scent to be released gradually with the movement of the wrist.

These and more were dramatically showcased at the exhibition. Guests were welcomed to the event by a giant depiction of the moon phases used on The Pleats of Time and its companion piece, also created by Yin, the limited edition Égérie Moonphase. They were then given an explanation of Vacheron Constantin’s “One of Not Many” concept, which celebrates artists such as Yin whose passion for innovation and quality match the maison’s.

The designer’s own work was introduced via a video and dressmaker corner where guests could find out more about her celebrated creations and her partnership with the watchmaker. Next, they were invited to visit a room giving them the detailed lowdown on The Pleats of Time, and the endless hours of creative endeavour that went into making it. This was followed by an exhibit showcasing Yin’s most instantly recognisable couture work, the Infinity Dress, and an olfactory experience where they could sample some of the nature inspired scents that went into making the watch’s fragrance, including lavender, honeysuckle, myrrh, frankincense, orange blossom and lemon.

After that, they had the chance to explore some of the maison’s outstanding historical pieces, such as a 1838 yellow gold pendant watch, a 1910 pendant watch in platinum and blue enamel, and a 1929 rectangular art deco shutters pocket watch in yellow and white gold. They were also able to check out the Égérie Lounge, which displayed an array of watches from that collection, including the Égérie Moonphase, which is limited to 100 pieces and comes with Yin’s name engraved on the caseback.